URSA – Abyss Between The Stars


On the face of it, Abyss Between The Stars (Blood Music) appears like another run-of-the-mill Stoner/Doom record. From its artwork to its song titles, everything about the album appears to be layered in a thick, hazy doom-weed aesthetic which I’ve never been the biggest fan of. Sleep aside; I prefer my Doom to be rooted in abject misery and despair rather than fantasy, ideally horrid and cavernous like Primitive Man or utterly heartbreaking like Warning. However, on listening to URSA’s debut instead of a clichéd trudge through the mire, I was treated to an earnest, epic, and genuinely fun Heavy Metal trip.Continue reading


Cormorant – Diaspora


 

Across a four-album lifespan, Bay Area’s Cormorant had consistently proven to be one of metal’s true and brightest hidden gems, offering a branch of Black Metal which takes as much worship from progressive giants such as King Crimson as it does from Extreme Metal’s icons. Still independent to this day, Cormorant have always showcased a meticulous detail that encompasses not only their rich and textured music, but even down to their vibrant, detailed and often awe-inspiring artwork. Having always shown true forward thinking and near limitless artistry, it is simply staggering that their fifth release Diaspora (self-released) breaks their mould even further, and is without a doubt their boldest offering to date.Continue reading